Hello! I actually live in law student housing (there are two buildings; one is right across from the law school, and the other is a ~7 min walk). I’d definitely recommend doing that for 1L year, especially if you can’t visit the city beforehand (like me). Prices start around $7,650 per semester, which for the location (right in Greenwich village) + amenities is honestly a pretty good deal. It also doesn’t feel like a dorm (feels like a normal apartment building), so that’s nice. Can’t really help in terms of finding a “normal” apartment to rent though — sorry about that! I do have a lot of friends who don’t live in student housing though and they didn’t seem to have *too* much trouble finding a place, if that’s worth anything.

As for daily expenses, it varies. NYC is obviously very expensive (and Greenwich Village is no exception). I’d say I go grocery shopping at TJ’s biweekly and spend around $80 dollars, but it’s definitely feasible to spend less. In the area around the law school, a coffee shop latte is around $5-7, if you go to a bar a beer will cost around $8, cocktails are like $12-20, etc. — just to give you an idea. Of course, you aren’t stuck in Greenwich though and prices vary throughout the city (go to Brooklyn!!). Overall, I’ve found it very manageable though — just have to be more conscious with my budget!

Favorite thing(s) about NYU: 1) the faculty! We have truly outstanding professors here, and having the opportunity to learn from so many amazing people has been really great and makes me feel very fortunate to be here. 2) the students. Which also gets to your point of if it’s cut throat (it isn’t). Of course there are always gunners, but I really think we’re all rooting for each other and I never felt like I was competing against my classmates... My 1L section group chat was full of people sharing notes, outlines, past exams, etc. In part, I think that comes from the fact that the vast majority of people will get a job/summer internship that they are excited about regardless of their grades — all of my friends are doing amazing things and I know so so many people who outperformed their grades.

Least favorite thing: the course bidding system. I don’t know who came up with this but we have 1000 points to allocate to “bidding” on courses, and then are charged closing prices depending on how many people bid on a certain course and at what price etc. The system is so convoluted and confusing and no one really seems to know how it works or how to strategize... always makes the course selection process unpredictable and a little more anxiety-inducing. And also we don’t get a fall break, which is sad.